When is the last time you let loose and just played? As adults, we too often get bogged down by our responsibilities and forget how much fun it can be to play. There is growing research evidence from the field of positive psychology that awakens us to how important play can be for our physiological and psychological well-being. Adults who play tend to have better immune systems, reduced anxiety, more creativity and productivity, more optimism, more empathy and improved interpersonal relationships.

We encourage you to consider how you might incorporate more playtime into your life and here are a few ideas to get you going:

Board games: There are so many to choose from! Try suggesting game nights with family and friends. We have friends with whom the tradition is to give each other games as gifts at holiday time. You can also try rotating who brings the game to try out different ones with each other. Go for games that involve a lot of laughter to get even more of a stress reduction effect.

Follow the Children: Children are the experts on being in the moment and they can make even the most mundane things fun. Follow their lead and join in with them in the play. Adopt an attitude of willingness, curiosity and adventure and try and let go of any concerns you might have in looking silly and let the silliness be the fun.

Dance: In addition to being fun and playful, dance provides an opportunity to experience synchrony and literally “shake off” built up tension.

Coloring: Adult coloring books are all the rage. These are a great way to express yourself creatively and reduce your stress.

Sports: Look into what leagues might be available in your neighborhood. These give you an opportunity to be surrounded by people with similar interests. Try and find a league with more emphasis on fun than competition.

Think back to when you were a child to remember what activities you found fun  – many of these can be reintegrated into your life now. You can also search out the people you already know in your family or at work who are naturally playful at heart. They will likely support you in your efforts to incorporate more play in your life and serve as a gateway to playful opportunities.

We wish you great fun in this endeavor. If you need help to increase your sense of wellness overall, we would be more than happy to sit down with you and help you make this happen.

Written by Shawna Atkins, Ph.D., OPQ.